After two days of harrowing drives along US 101, we arrived in Newport in time to celebrate Josie's 5th birthday. She is wonderful and baby Danielle is so cute and good we're amazed. At 7.5 months she's already saying dada and mama (mama less frequently which doesn't go over well with Mom) and babee. She just co-exists with everyone in a relaxed and upbeat way.
As soon as I get pics of the sea lion cave, I'll download and post a couple more trip pics, including the scary redwood forest we stayed in outside of Crescent City, CA. Speaking of scary, US 101 narrows to two way traffic in most places as it winds into northern CA and then into OR. Capt. Don was wheezing as we went through an area where I could have touched the redwood trees if I opened the window.
The Crestwood City campground was great, very rustic but with all the necessities (electric, water, sewer and cable TV). Both campgrounds in Petaluma, CA and Crescent City had the cutest little cabins that people can rent (I originally typed cabinets and that's more like the size but they ARE cute). When I read that the redwood forests are dense and dark, I couldn't really imagine what that must be like. Now I know: They are really dark and scary because you KNOW there must be bears and other carnivores waiting for unsuspecting tourists to wander too far into the woods. Don took CoriBob out for her morning 'thingies' and he suddenly realized he might not be alone in the wilderness.
Hi-lite: Going around a bend on 101 and seeing the Pacific crashing against huge boulders along a shore which you think you can see goes forever and then heading back into a forest drive with lakes on the right and trees on the left and then hitting the coastline again. Wow, is the water/coastline ever different on the upper Pacific coast. Think rocks -- giant rocks that you could build a house on, if you were crazy.
Newport hi-lites: Seeing the grand kids and kids; the Oregon Coast Aquarium (within walking distance of where we're staying) is one of the best we've ever seen; the Rogue brewing and distillery (also within walking distance) company -- to be explained later.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
California Streaming
Here's another road hint for the inexperienced RVer: DO NOT DRIVE FROM PALM SPRINGS TO SAN FRANCISCO IN ONE DAY. While it seemed like a wonderful idea in the planning stages, leaving at 4:15 a.m. and arriving at your destination 11 hours later is bad, bad, bad. That being said, it was lucky we left when we did because we were able to get around LA before the REAL rush hour. We just hit the early rush hour that evidently begins at 5 a.m. Because the wind was 30 mph one minute and 5 mph the next, Don was driving the bus and I was in the Jeep giving him minute by minute traffic and exit updates.
Once we got north of Los Angeles, even the mountains looked better because there was actually some green with purple spring flowers. As we drove into central CA, the valleys were full of fruit trees, grapes lined up for miles, and to-be-veggies. However, the green was interspersed with brown -- still no grass. When we finally drove across the Oakland bridge and onto US 101, we thought we had arrived (but it was still an hour to get to Petaluma, CA).
Did I mention that there seems to be more cars on the highways in California then I've ever seen? The New Jersey Turnpike and Detroit freeways were weenie by comparison. If every person who drives at least 1 mile in CA, were to anti up just $1 on 1 day, we might be able to eliminate the national debt.
Petaluma is a delightful town just 40 miles north of San Francisco. Great Victorian era homes, wonderful views, charming old downtown with class, and one of the best Italian restaurants in which we've ever eaten (think sea bass in a light sauce with capers, etc.). Also a Fresh Market and Trader Joe's. And, yes, grass. The green kind and lots of it. They've used the town for movies because it looks like the Americana of yesteryear: "American Graffiti", "Peggy Sue Got Married", "Basic Instinct".
Today we headed up 101 to Healdsburg to the heart of the Sonoma County wine country. We could have spent 3 or 4 days just exploring Healdsburg and all of the wineries around it. But we only had 4 hours. We also found the Russian River which, wouldn't you know it, winds through the Russian River Valley, home to some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Here's the really bad news: Despite thinking it 'should' be, wine is not less expensive at the wineries. However, there are many more choices then Costco. We WILL return so watch out.
We hit the road tomorrow morning about 7 a.m., turn left onto US 101 and drive until we run into Crescent City, CA and up to Newport, OR on Saturday.
Once we got north of Los Angeles, even the mountains looked better because there was actually some green with purple spring flowers. As we drove into central CA, the valleys were full of fruit trees, grapes lined up for miles, and to-be-veggies. However, the green was interspersed with brown -- still no grass. When we finally drove across the Oakland bridge and onto US 101, we thought we had arrived (but it was still an hour to get to Petaluma, CA).
Did I mention that there seems to be more cars on the highways in California then I've ever seen? The New Jersey Turnpike and Detroit freeways were weenie by comparison. If every person who drives at least 1 mile in CA, were to anti up just $1 on 1 day, we might be able to eliminate the national debt.
Petaluma is a delightful town just 40 miles north of San Francisco. Great Victorian era homes, wonderful views, charming old downtown with class, and one of the best Italian restaurants in which we've ever eaten (think sea bass in a light sauce with capers, etc.). Also a Fresh Market and Trader Joe's. And, yes, grass. The green kind and lots of it. They've used the town for movies because it looks like the Americana of yesteryear: "American Graffiti", "Peggy Sue Got Married", "Basic Instinct".
Today we headed up 101 to Healdsburg to the heart of the Sonoma County wine country. We could have spent 3 or 4 days just exploring Healdsburg and all of the wineries around it. But we only had 4 hours. We also found the Russian River which, wouldn't you know it, winds through the Russian River Valley, home to some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Here's the really bad news: Despite thinking it 'should' be, wine is not less expensive at the wineries. However, there are many more choices then Costco. We WILL return so watch out.
We hit the road tomorrow morning about 7 a.m., turn left onto US 101 and drive until we run into Crescent City, CA and up to Newport, OR on Saturday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
